19 February 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan – The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the generous contribution of US$ 500 000 from the Government of Japan to strengthen essential health care services for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, during Afgfhanistan's ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Afghanistan continues to grapple with significant challenges, including a fragile health care system, food insecurity, malnutrition and natural disasters. In response to these pressing needs, WHO, with support from Japan, will implement a 12-month project from March 2025 to February 2026 to provide essential health care services, with a focus on strengthening communicable disease surveillance, enhancing trauma care services and improving access to integrated primary health care in underserved and disaster-affected areas.
"This timely and generous contribution from the Government of Japan is vital for addressing Afghanistan's pressing health care needs,” said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador.
“We appreciate this collaboration and continued trust which will help us deliver lifesaving health care services to those most in need and protect the lives of women and children who remain disproportionately affected by ongoing humanitarian crises.”
The funding will allow WHO to deploy surveillance support teams to enhance disease detection and response across Afghanistan's 6 regions, provide trauma care training for frontline health workers and ensure the availability of essential medicines in primary health care facilities. By focusing on these priority areas, the project seeks to alleviate the burden on Afghanistan’s strained health care system and maintain the health of vulnerable populations.
"This contribution from the Government of Japan aims to support the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children, overcome the enormous health challenges facing them and guarantee easy access to basic health care services," said the Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan Mr Kuromiya Takayoshi.
"Through our partnership with WHO, we are working to ensure that lifesaving health care services reach those who need them most."
WHO Afghanistan would like to extend its gratitude to the People and Government of Japan for their ongoing support to address urgent health challenges and improve the well-being of vulnerable communities across Afghanistan.
For more information, please contact:
Ajyal Sultany, Head of Communications, WHO Afghanistan
Email:
Mob: +93784812266
Nourhan El-Nagdy, Communication Officer, WHO Afghanistan
Email:
Mob: +93783655635
